The Brat Page 0,36

commanded, "Have someone fetch Gaynor." Murie groaned inwardly, but didn't see how to sway him from whatever course he'd decided on. She stood with resignation to leave.

"Murie, I want you at the head table for sup tonight," the king announced as she reached the door. She turned back, eyes wide.

"But I was to sit with Lady and Lord Reynard."

"Reynard?" Edward glanced to Becker. "He is - "

"Aye, sire," Becker murmured, apparently not needing to hear the entire question.

Nodding, Edward said, "They may join you at the head table. Now go, child. I have business to attend."

Blowing her breath out on a sigh, Murie escaped while she could, but as she hurried toward her room, she wondered what she'd set in motion. Unfortunately, she suspected she knew. She quite liked Balan and found him attractive, and his kisses in her dream had been divine; however, she had no desire to have him forced into marrying her. What if he did not like her or find her kisses divine? Nay, she needed to -

Her thoughts came to a shuddering halt, as did her feet, at the sight of the man moving up the hall.

Balan.

She stared at him; then, without thinking about it, her feet carried her past the others in the hall and directly into his path, forcing him to halt.

"Lady Murie," he said with surprise.

"Aye." She nodded, bit her lip and blurted, "My lord, I must speak with you."

"Very well," he said.

Murie hesitated, her gaze shifting anxiously over the people passing by.

Balan arched an eyebrow in question. "What is it?"

"I..." Murie bit her lip, her gaze following those passing closest to them and knew a blush was coloring her cheeks. She really didn't wish to speak to him on this subject at all, but even more so, did not wish to speak about it where others might hear. This was embarrassing enough without that added humiliation. Seeming to recognize the problem, Balan glanced around, then took her arm and led her down the hall, then below stairs and out of the castle. He walked her across the upper ward to where Edward's tower was being built. Fortunately, it was a rainy day and the men were not working, but the walls were begun and offered them some shelter from the weather. Murie had to walk carefully to avoid sinking in the mud.

Seeming to note she was having difficulty in her dainty shoes, Balan suddenly swept her up in his arms and carried her to a stone where she could safely stand.

Murie managed a slightly embarrassed smile as he straightened from setting her down.

"Thank you, my lord," she murmured, peering at him curiously. She was now as tall as he, their faces on a level, and she'd not seen him this close before. His eyes were really quite lovely, a deep dark brown that was almost black. And he had the longest eyelashes she'd ever seen; startling on a man.

"My lady?" he said when she remained silent. 'You had something you wished to tell me?"

"Oh, aye," she said, and began to worry her lip. How to tell him? This was all so terribly embarrassing. Why the king felt he had to intervene, she did not know. If he would just leave her to deal with the matter on her own as he'd promised . ..

"My lady?" Balan prompted. There was a slight smile on his lips, and his eyes locked on her mouth as she nibbled at her lip. Forcing herself to stop, she opened her mouth, closed it again, tilted her head thoughtfully and then opened her mouth again, only to exclaim in horror, "Oh, gawd!"

Balan blinked in surprise, then caught her hands in his. "Just take a deep, calming breath and tell me what is on your mind." Murie did as instructed and sucked in a lungful of air, let it slowly back out and blurted, "The king!"

"What about the king?" he asked.

"Oh, 'tis awful, my lord. I never meant for it to happen; I just wanted to ask if he knew the rules, but he decided it was a fait accompli and now he will surely start spouting orders and telling everyone, and 'twill be so embarrassing and I do not know what to do to make him - "

Her words ended on a startled gasp as he covered her mouth with his. The panic immediately slid out of her, and a little sigh escaped as his mouth brushed over hers, soft and caressing.

"There," he said softly as